BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 9, 2005, AT 7:30 P.M.
SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
C. Denesiuk, Chair
D. E. Jamieson, Vice Chair
K. Lindstrom, Trustee
L. Little, Trustee
G. Manning, Trustee
D. Shunter, Trustee
L. Van Alphen, Trustee
G. Doi, Superintendent of Schools
F. Regehr, Secretary-Treasurer
R. Shongrunden, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed district staff, guests, and representatives of the media.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that the agenda and addendum be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
3.1
Community Recognition
The Board of School Trustees recognized and thanked several service organizations and
businesses for their contributions to the school district:
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Mike Townley, for three years of organizing and running the Naramata Run for
the district elementary schools;
Bill Binfet, Notary Public, for ongoing support of the International Student
Program by donating services as a notary public;
Rose Medd and Eileen Kennedy, representing the Pythian Sisters, for donating
funds to purchase an educational software program called “Kurzweil”. Kurzweil
is reading technology for people with learning difficulties and those who are blind
or visually impaired, and aids in bringing those students the power and pleasure
of reading and learning.
Donna Henningson, representing Quest Society for Hearing Enhancement, for
the donation of a sound field system;
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Page 2
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – May 9, 2005
Marion Woodward, Manager, TD Canada Trust, for assistance with the literacy
program – sponsoring a grade 1 field trip and donating a story book to each
grade one child at Parkway Elementary;
Carol Stathers, Interior health, for providing leadership and support for the Step
into Action pedometer project and School Health Fair;
Bob Pope, Recreation Coordinator, City of Penticton, for providing leadership
and support for raising funds for the Step into Action pedometer project;
Deborah O’Mara, Executive Director, Community Foundation of the South
Okanagan, for supporting and funding numerous projects in the district (“Baby,
Think It Over”, Queen’s Park Sports Court, Hot Lunch Program, pedometer
project); and
Diana Fraser, Past President, Kinette Club of Penticton, for sponsoring 12 “Kids
on the Block” performances at district elementary schools.
Additionally, Murray Mandzak, Manager, Wal Mart, was recognized for the store’s
donation of various items to support Queen’s Park Elementary School.
4.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
4.1
Library Presentation
Holly Colquhoun, the teacher-librarian at Summerland Middle School, explained how the
Accelerated Readers program works at Summerland Middle School. She focused on
how the program is managed from the library, delivered to students, and connected to the
work done in classrooms.
Teacher-librarian Lance Zablotney explained the Accelerated Reading (AC) program at
Skaha Middle School and described how the AC program and the library services in the
school have resulted in a positive impact on the atmosphere in the school creating a
“reading culture”. Student Patrick Larsen-Dones described how the AC program has
benefited him personally.
Brian Salter, a teacher at Summerland Secondary School, described the Reading Fitness
Program at the school and three grade 10 students, Simon Thistlewood, Kelsey
Goodwin, and Willem Van Gurp, spoke about their personal experiences and involvement
in the program.
4.2
Princess Margaret Secondary School
Teacher Marcus Toneatto described the Advanced Placement courses offered at
Princess Margaret Secondary School noting there will be four sections of AP classes
offered in September 2005. Students Laureen Harstone, Tyler Allison, and Jaime
Pentland provided details on graduation plans and dry grad activities including the
graduation breakfast, luncheon, golf tournament, polar bear swim, graduation ceremonies
on June 29, and staff and student dinner on June 30 followed by the dry grad activities.
Parent organizer Debbie Allison reported more than half of the grads and families have
been involved with the dry grad organizing and fundraising and acknowledged the
tremendous community support for the dry grad.
4.3
Penticton Secondary School
For the second year in a row, Penticton Secondary won the provincial title in the Mock
Trial Competition held in the Provincial Law Courts in Victoria on April 16, 2005 beating
schools such as Dover Bay, Oak Bay, Glenlyon-Norfolk School, West Point Gray
Academy, Shawnigan Lake, St. George’s and St. Michael’s University School. The
competition had some very distinguished lawyers acting as judges – one of them being
the Chief Crown Counsel for the Air India case. Four of Penticton Secondary’s six top
debaters who participated in the competitions, Wes Hopkin, Amy Robertson, Ali Brent,
and Danny Ming, and Teacher Sharon Lindstrom described the mock trials and provided
highlights of the competition.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 3
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – May 9, 2005
Following a number of questions, Chairman Denesiuk extended appreciation to all
students and staff for their presentations.
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Shunter/Manning that the minutes of the regular meeting held on April 11, 2005 be
approved.
CARRIED
MOTION:
6.0
Lindstrom/Van Alphen that the minutes of the special meeting held on April 25,
2005 be approved.
CARRIED
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meetings held on April 11 and 22, 2005:
Regular Meeting held on April 11, 2005:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Received a report from the finance and management committee.
(Declaring a possible conflict of interest, Trustees Lindstrom and Shunter left the meeting
for this report.)
Received a report from the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee and
discipline committee;
Approved teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
Received information related to an upcoming meeting;
Received information related to student suspensions;
Received information regarding the interview and selection process of a vice principal
position;
Received information regarding two critical incidents.
Special Meeting held on April 22, 2005:
1.
7.0
Received information related to an appeal to the Board and considered the appeal under
Bylaw No. 3.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Minister of Education
A letter from the Minister of Education announcing the three-year capital plan for 2005-06
to 2007-08.
7.2
Letter from British Columbia School Trustees Association
A letter from Penny Tees, President, BCSTA, encouraging boards to send letters to their
local Members of Parliament requesting support for educational exemptions be included
in the anticipated copyright reform legislation.
7.3
Letter from Summerland Grad Committee
A letter from Barb Perrin, Summerland Grad Committee, requesting support for the
additional expense for their graduation ceremonies of 2005.
7.4
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 78 (Fraser-Cascade) to the Minister of
Education commending the Minister on building better partnerships with parents through
government’s recent decision to provide funding for parent advisory councils.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – May 9, 2005
7.5
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows) to
the Minister of Education commending the decision to provide funding for parent advisory
councils and requesting that consideration be given to providing additional funding for
district parent advisory councils (DPAC).
7.6
Copy of Letter to British Columbia School Trustees Association
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows) to
the BCSTA advising their board will remain with the BCSTA and relaying some of their
issues and concerns which caused concerns for their board.
7.7
Letter from Summerland Parent Advisory Council
A letter from the Summerland Parent Advisory Council supporting the Summerland Grad
Committee and the purpose of their letter of request.
MOTION:
8.0
Page 4
Shunter/Van Alphen that the correspondence be received and referred to
appropriate committees as necessary.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Manning reported the education committee visited Summerland Middle School
on May 3, 2005, were met by leadership students, toured classes in session, and joined
staff for lunch. Ms. Manning added the school and students can be proud of their school
and all their accomplishments.
MOTION:
8.2
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Little reported on the finance and management committee meeting held on May
4, 2005:
a.
Trustee Stipend
In accordance with Policy 150, the secretary-treasurer distributed and reviewed a
summary of trustee stipends for Okanagan school districts. Following discussion,
the committee requested this matter be brought forward early next year.
b.
LINK Budget
Assistant Superintendent Stigant and Superintendent Doi reviewed options
regarding the use of LINK funds. Choices such as nutrition, a mental health
worker, and a drug/alcohol program were discussed. Mr. Doi confirmed a
workshop with principals and vice principals will be held on June 7 to review the
use of LINK funds and the program service benefits.
c.
International Student Marketing
Mr. Stigant distributed information regarding the marketing of the district’s
international program May 6 and 7 at the AICHI Expo in Japan.
MOTION:
8.3
Manning/Van Alphen that the report of the education committee be
received.
CARRIED
Little/Shunter that the report of the finance and management committee be
received.
CARRIED
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Jamieson reported the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee
met on May 4, 2005 to discuss the following items:
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Page 5
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – May 9, 2005
a.
2005-06 Capital Plan – A.F.G.
The secretary-treasurer reported our district’s annual facilities grant for 2005-06 is
$1,306,484. A review of school projects will be completed over the next two weeks
and along with previous projects identified a priority list for the use of these funds
will be prepared for the next meeting.
b.
Main Street Revitalization
The City of Penticton will be holding meetings during May regarding the
revitalization of the 100 to 700 blocks of Main Street.
c.
Building Vandalism Conference
Director of Maintenance John Hickling presented information received at a
conference arranged by SD42 regarding building vandalism.
d.
Election Signs on School Property
The committee was advised that we have discouraged the placement of election
signs on school property.
e.
Penticton Secondary School Planning for September
The committee was advised that based on Ministry support for the school,
classroom preparations for construction could involve the following changes this
summer:
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The Junior STRIDE program portable being relocated
The Senior STRIDE program portable being relocated
The drama area being demolished and the program moved to the
auditorium stage
The woodshop being demolished and the program moved to the old
woodshop in the east wing
The drafting area being demolished and moved to upstairs in the current
outdoor recreation area
The digital media lab in the Aggie building being demolished and moved
to the second storey business education area
Room 201 A/B being demolished and moved to a new portable
The outdoor recreation being moved from the second storey to a new
portable
The business education program being moved from the second storey to
a new portable
100 Eckhardt is currently vacant and waiting for gas disconnection
A notice of eviction for 96 Eckhardt has been given with demolition
scheduled for August
The Hand in Hand Daycare will be relocated.
The secretary-treasurer noted that with the use of the auditorium as a drama
classroom for the next two years, rentals will become more difficult and expensive.
We have currently committed to Community Concert rentals only.
A commitment for the funding of this work plus the architectural costs is initially a
responsibility of our school district. With our expectation of funding approval nearer
to the time of building tender, we should at that time receive funding for the current
costs plus construction.
f.
PMSS Mustang Statue
A base is being prepared for the completion of the mustang statue at Princess
Margaret Secondary. The completion date will be confirmed at a later time.
It was noted the unveiling of statue has been scheduled for May 20, 2005.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
MOTION:
9.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – May 9, 2005
Jamieson/Lindstrom that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
10.0
Page 6
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction Committee
The secretary-treasurer reported the Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
Committee last met on April 20, 2005. As well, there have been several meetings with
staff at the school to gain input on various teaching areas for the new facility. Mr. Regehr
invited all attendees into the foyer to view the scaled model of the building which shows
the new school to the east of and attached to the Ellis building. Director of Maintenance
Hickling reviewed the site drawings and the demolition and construction schedule. Mr.
Regehr added costing estimates are being finalized and the original cost of $22 million,
which is a three-year old figure, will be much higher. It is hoped the district will be able to
go to tender by December and the construction is estimated to last 18 months. The
school will remain in session during construction and students, who will normally be
housed in the Ellis building when the school is completed, will attend the Shatford
building during the renovations of the Ellis building which is scheduled following
completion of the main building.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
10.2
Student Achievement
a.
District Workgroups (Literacy, Numeracy and Social Responsibility)
The superintendent reported that the final meeting for this year for the literacy
workgroup is scheduled for Monday, May 16, 3:45 p.m., at Princess Margaret
Library, and the final numeracy workgroup meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,
May 11.
b.
Celebration of Student Achievement
Mr. Doi reviewed plans for the Celebration of Student Achievement to be held on
Wednesday, June 1, 3:45 to 6:00 p.m. at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.
Invitations will be sent to school staff, parent advisory councils, and school
planning councils. There will be student presentations from Naramata Elementary,
Penticton Secondary, and Princess Margaret Secondary as well as presentations
on literacy, numeracy, and social responsibility.
Communication and Access
a.
Field Trips
The superintendent reviewed a listing of field trip requests circulated with the
agenda package, four of which had been approved by the superintendent.
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Jamieson that the following field trip request be
approved:
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MOTION:
June 13 to 17, 2005, for 85 grade 8 students from Summerland
Middle School to travel to Calgary and Banff to tour the Calgary
Olympic Park, Calgary Zoo, Banff Gondola, and Burgess Shale
hike.
CARRIED
Little/Shunter that the following field trip requests be approved for
funding as per board policy:
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April 25 to 27, 2005, for three students from Summerland
Secondary School to compete in the Skills Canada provincial
championships in Abbotsford; and
April 15 to 17, 2005, for six students from Penticton Secondary
School to compete in the provincial mock trial competitions in
Victoria.
CARRIED
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MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the following field trip request be
approved:
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MOTION:
September 19 to 23, 2005, for 33 grade 11 students from
Summerland Secondary to travel to the Bamfield Marine Station
on Vancouver Island.
CARRIED
Little/Van Alphen that the following field trip request be approved in
principle:
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MOTION:
May 11 to 14, 2005, for 63 grade 8 band students from KVR
Middle School to travel to Edmonton, Alberta, to perform at
three school concerts and visit the provincial museum and
West Edmonton Mall.
CARRIED
Van Alphen/Jamieson that the following field trip request be
approved in principle:
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10.3
February 2 to 7, 2006, for approximately 60 to 70 students
from KVR Middle and Summerland Middle schools to travel to
Quebec City and Montreal for the Quebec Winter Carnival.
CARRIED
Shunter/Little that the following field trip request be approved in
principle:
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MOTION:
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – May 9, 2005
March 18 to 31, 2006, for 20 to 25 Penticton Secondary
School students to travel to Cuba to engage in volunteer
opportunities.
CARRIED
Other Items
a.
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reviewed enrolment as of April 30, 2005.
district’s current enrolment is 7,458 students or 7,098.88 FTE.
The
b.
Kindergarten Registration
Director Instruction Schafer advised that children who are born in 2000 are eligible
to enter kindergarten in September 2005 and parents are encouraged to register
their children at their neighbourhood school as soon as possible.
c.
Secondary School Student Charges
Policy No. 203 requires that student fees be reviewed and reported to the Board on
an annual basis. It was recommended there would be no changes for the 2005-06
school year.
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Page 8
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Jamieson that the following student charges be approved
for the 2005-06 school year:
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A student activity charge of $30.00 per secondary student and
$16.00 per middle school student per year for the provision of
goods and services beyond the basic instructional program
including but not restricted to the rental of a lock and locker,
supply of a student planner, and partial funding for a range of
student activity costs;
A textbook/resources refundable deposit up to $25.00 per
secondary student per year and $15.00 per student per year for
middle school students;
Schools are authorized to establish a schedule of user-pay team
fees and/or uniform charges to support extracurricular activities
in the school; and
Schools enrolling grade 12, as part of the graduation policy, to
establish a graduation charge to cover costs of graduation
events at the school.
CARRIED
d.
BCeSIS (Student Information System)
The superintendent reported that all schools in the province currently use various
types of information systems to manage student information. Many of these
systems are outdated and require replacement. The goal of implementing a
system such as BCeSIS is to enable schools to be more effective and efficient in
collecting and reporting information. By creating a common system with consistent
standards for data protection, collection, storage and reporting, BCeSIS should
help school and district staff by providing more accurate educational information on
which to base decisions regarding student achievement and educational
improvement. Mr. Doi added that SD67 will begin the BCeSIS pilot project with
three schools (one secondary, one middle, and one elementary) in September
2006. District Principal Dave Burgoyne will coordinate the project training and
support in 2005-06.
e.
Wall of Fame Alumni
Superintendent Doi reported all alumni for this year are recognized on the foyer
wall at the school board office and will be recognized at school graduation
ceremonies. Mr. Doi requested that school trustees meet with alumni in advance
of the graduation ceremonies. The dates are as follows:
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Penticton Secondary – May 27 – 6:30 p.m. for Meet and Greet
Princess Margaret Secondary – June 29 – 6:30 p.m. for Meet and Greet
Summerland Secondary – June 30 – 10:30 a.m. for Meet and Greet
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – May 9, 2005
British Columbia School Trustees Association
Chairman Denesiuk presented long service certificates, normally distributed at the
BCSTA AGM, to Trustee Lindstrom for six years as a trustee; Trustee Little for 12 years;
and Trustee Shunter for 15 years.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
14.1
14.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – May 9, 2005
Date of Next Meeting
• June 13, 2005, Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district and school activities.
14.2
Recognition of Student Success
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extended congratulations to the students and
groups for outstanding examples of success as shown on the recognition sheet included
with the agenda package.
14.3
Recognition of Student Artwork
Students from Uplands Elementary School were congratulated for their artwork currently
on display at the school board office:
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15.0
Page 9
Carleigh Dean – Grade 2
Jade Arnold – Grade 3
Linda Warden – Grade 3
Sara Berthelsen – Grade 4
Cassandra Last – Grade 4
Nikita Afonso – Grade 5
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the meeting be adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
May 16, 2005
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